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Obsessed with human beings.

And the brands they love.

HEY! WE’RE LPK.

We’re a customer strategy consultancy that helps businesses better know, grow and innovate for their ever-changing customers and consumers—driving future brand growth and popular culture.
Our work spans brands and businesses of every size, shape and industry, creating solutions that resonate beyond reason. If you have an audience, we have a point-of-view.
We own the place

In business for 105 years and employee-owned for 30. This empowers us to be a different kind of branding agency, leading with our bold ambition—and partnering with clients who share in it.

Progress through creativity

Creativity is a powerful tool to drive real positive change—social, environmental and economic. We support this in all kinds of ways: through our work, our partnerships and our community giving.

Committed to our own change

Our work to do better—and be better—is never finished. For us, it means facing our own biases, embracing new perspectives and celebrating diversity in all its forms.

Meet our people

A culture all our own.

Guiding principles that unite our people and empower us to do our best work.
EXPLORE CAREERSSee our work

Meet our people.

Chief Executive Officer

SARAH TOMES

Starting as a finance co-op at LPK in 1996, Sarah rose through the ranks, building global brands across a wide range of industries and categories. Two decades later, she was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, bringing a strong work ethic and active, visible management style to shape a culture of transparency, collaboration and inclusion.

Today, Sarah is responsible for the overall operations and performance for the company—from organizational design and business processes to our strategic vision for the future.

Chief Growth Officer

JESSE McMULLIN

Jesse McMullin is in constant pursuit of growth, helping LPK and its clients drive expansion of their business in novel, innovative ways. As Chief Growth Officer, Jesse is the architect of the consultancy’s corporate strategy, as well as the leader of its discovery, consumer strategy and marketing practices.

He joins LPK from Slalom Consultancy, where he oversaw the creation of experience, business and technology solutions for clients across diverse markets, as well as the global launch of Slalom’s open-innovation product globally. A passionate entrepreneur and investor, Jesse has founded and sold successful ventures in industries such as CPG, manufacturing, biotech and more. Ever looking forward, he is a Strategic Advisor for PSi, SPIN Analytics and several other startups in the emergent data and AI space.

Chief Creative Officer

NATHAN HENDRICKS

Nathan Hendricks is intent on creating things that work beautifully. As Chief Creative Officer, he oversees the quality and effectiveness of LPK’s outputs, shaping a culture of creative excellence that moves LPKers to do the best work of their careers—and brands to become the best versions of themselves.

A graphic designer by trade and lifelong student of the human condition, Nathan believes in the power of creativity to enhance everyday lives. In his nearly 40-year career, he has led the evolutions of some of the world’s most recognized brands and spoken on the changing nature of our industry with diverse publications and panels.

Chief Marketing Officer

VALERIE JACOBS

Driving a constant state of evolution within LPK and the industry, Valerie oversees branding and marketing efforts and external relations for the consultancy. In her nearly 20 years here, she founded the in-house trends + foresight practice, providing clients with a deeper understanding of emergent shifts, as well as the ability to translate them into future-forward growth.

She works with an intuition and quick wit that senses and articulates change—informing the strategies she shapes for brands with the nerve to look up, out and ahead.

Chief Commercial Officer

JOSH BOKELMAN

Always geared toward future growth, Josh Bokelman leads LPK’s Commerce practice, connecting brands and businesses with the talent and tailor-made solutions that drive transformation.

Josh approaches every initiative as an opportunity to understand things on a deep level, and then collaborating to interweave strategy, design, innovation and insight + foresight to shape inventive ways for businesses and brands to resonate with their consumers and outfit themselves for the future.

Chief Financial Officer

BRENT McCOY

For over three decades, Brent McCoy has led LPK’s financial planning and budget management, managing the daily operations of the consultancy’s financial services department, including establishing and measuring against short- and long-term financial objectives.

Overseeing diverse operations for the organization, Brent is also responsible for compliance with applicable federal, state and foreign government regulations. He provides legal direction on a broad range of corporate areas, including corporate structure, leasing and client contracts.

VP, Discovery

EMILY FLANNERY

Emily Flannery’s driving passion is the intersection where now meets next. At LPK, she leads the Discovery practice, cultivating, guiding and evolving our approaches for clients, always with an acute focus on bringing them closer to their consumers and preparing them for change.

Emily holds a degree in Product Strategy from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), where she has also served as an Associate Professor and the honorary Head of Trend Forecasting.

VP, Client + Category Partnership

AMIE BRACKEN

Amie Bracken has a proven record of forging powerful client relationships—ones built on collaboration, trust and shared goals for the future.

Leading LPK’s Client Engagement practice, Amie’s passion lies in creating a culture of connection and co-creation—both within her teams and with her clients. An advocate at her core, she is a champion of the work, measuring success through the growth of her clients’ businesses, especially as they navigate change.

VP, Creative Excellence

DAVID VOLKER

David Volker creates brands that are both timely and timeless, developing breakthrough expressions for some of the most iconic names on earth—from Jim Beam to Gillette, Corona to Blue Diamond. Believing design is the ultimate communicator of strategic choices, David drives collaboration across LPK’s interdisciplinary teams, outfitting brands for growth and endurance through creativity.

An expert in heritage brands and CPGs of all kinds, David has published thought leadership and spoken on design and creativity for various panels, including AIGA Design Week.

VP, Managing Director of HR

MAURA SCHILLING

Passionate about empowering people to reach new heights, Maura Schilling oversees human resources for LPK, shaping a workplace known for its open, adaptive structure, culture of creativity and individualized support. In her 20 years with LPK, Maura has led the consultancy’s evolution to meet emerging employee needs, desires and ways of working.

From best-in-class benefits to competitive compensation, progressive learning + development to personal coaching, Maura’s work focuses on optimizing the potential of every LPKer, as well as their internal and external relationships.

Our collective

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ANDY RE

Strategy Director, Product

Andy Re is passionate about launching groundbreaking products. His role involves decoding current and future business contexts, guiding companies toward sustainable growth and facilitating strategic disruption.

Andy excels in de-risking ambitious ideas and ensuring the consumer’s voice takes center stage.

At LPK, he has helped The Delta Faucet Co. shape a consumer-driven product strategy and brought ventures to market for Cincinnati Insurance Companies.

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MEREDITH POST

Senior Creative Director

Meredith Post believes in being a force of nature. As Senior Creative Director at LPK, she helps brands unlock their ultimate value and guides teams to achieve new levels of creative excellence.

Meredith is a published author, thought leader and speaker, covering topics such as creative strategy, brand design and fostering a culture of creativity.

At LPK, she has worked with The J.M. Smucker Co. to evolve its iconic portfolio for changing consumer tastes, guided Anheuser-Busch AB InBev in modernizing legacy brands like Natural Light and Ritas, and built a digital-first skincare brand for Procter & Gamble.

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CARINA SANDOVAL

Strategy Director, Brand

Carina Sandoval is an expert in pointing brands forward, shaping evocative strategies that bridge the gap between consumer desires and business goals.

She is a sought-after resource for consumer research, insights, strategic foundations and brand identity development.

At LPK, Carina has helped BlueTriton Brands tap into consumer motivations for maximum brand resonance, and brought cultural insight and market expertise to The J.M. Smucker Co.’s coffee business, outfitting it for future consumers.

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KYLE SCHUTTE

Director, Client + Category Partnership

Across complex categories and fast-moving industries, Kyle Schutte is focused on moving brands forward.

Kyle brings more than 15 years of deep expertise in brand transformation, new brand creation and consumer and customer strategy, namely in the categories of food + beverage, wine + spirits, and sports + outdoor.

At LPK, he has helped Gillette keep pace with fast-evolving consumer expectations, led Constellation Brands’ consumer journey work to sustain category leadership, and partnered with Acushnet on the modernization of Titleist, maker of the #1 ball in golf.

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MIKE PROCTOR

Director, Client + Category Partnership

As Group Director of LPK’s Client Engagement practice, Mike Proctor leads relationships with a wide spectrum of clients, each within complex, fast-moving categories—from food + beverage to wine + spirits.

He brings over 25 years of experience and expertise in business strategy and holistic brand-building for CPG clients.

At LPK, Mike has helped GE Appliances attract new growth consumers, partnered with Anheuser-Busch AB InBev to reinvent heritage brands, and locked elbows with Blue Diamond Growers to evolve their portfolio with changing consumer desires.

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CAROLINE DUNN

Director, Client + Category Partnership

For Caroline Dunn, possibilities are for pushing. In her 12-year career, she has forged relationships with diverse business leaders, helping them meet ambitious goals—but also exceed them.

Her specialization lies in customer strategy, corporate identity, B2B and the intersection of brand and innovation.

At LPK, Caroline has helped ADM refresh its global corporate identity, capitalizing on market trends to reach new customers and consumers. She has also partnered with fitness icon Denise Austin on the creation of her lifestyle brand platform, and guided The Delta Faucet Co. to understand where to play and how to win with tomorrow’s consumers.

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MARISA RICHTER

Director, Client + Category Partnership

Marisa Richter brings candor and clarity to the most complex of business challenges. In her role as Group Director at LPK, she closely partners with clients to act as a true extension of their team, helping them identify and pursue opportunities that drive growth.

Marisa brings deep expertise in business strategy, consumer insights, CPG brand-building and business operations.

At LPK, she has worked with The J.M. Smucker Co. to position its iconic brands for innovative growth, guided Kraft Heinz to modernize for changing consumer demands, and teamed with Kroger on their transformative private-label product strategy.

Claire Keys Pytlik

CLAIRE KEYS PYTLIK

Head of Content & Communications

Claire Keys Pytlik believes in the power of voice, helping brands find, shape and amplify theirs to drive unimagined growth. She has led verbal strategies and creative content for B2Bs and B2Cs across diverse categories—from beauty to baby, food + bev to fintech, personal care to kitchen + bath.

As Head of Content + Communications, Claire brings expertise in editorial strategy, brand voice, communications and storytelling.

At LPK, she has helped The Clorox Company innovate for the future of cleaning and personal care, shaped offerings for The Delta Faucet Co’s next consumers, and built content destinations that propel leaders to the front edge of their categories

ELLEN GERLACH

Senior Director of Marketing

Ellen Gerlach believes that when business opportunity and marketing intersect, they become an unstoppable force for growth. Traversing industries as diverse as politics and finance, pharmaceuticals and tech, Ellen has helped B2Bs and B2Cs shape transformative marketing strategies that connect with real customer wants and needs.

As Senior Director of Marketing at LPK, Ellen brings a wealth of experience in audience insights, data analysis, performance-driven marketing and business strategy.

At LPK, she helps our leaders make sense of emergent market and audience data, translating it into innovative new products and insights for our most ambitious clients.

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LYNNE AVERBECK

Design Adaptation Director

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KELLY AUSTIN DALY

QA Manager

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JESSICA OWEN STEPHENS

Senior Creative Director

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KELLI BALES

Benefits + Payroll Manager

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MICHELLE WAGNER

Controller

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ANNIE RIZZO

Design Activation Director

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DIAMOND WADE

Designer

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REGAN BENCH

Copy Director

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MICHELLE LEHAN

Manager, Client + Category Partnership

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DANA MAKSTALLER

Manager, Client + Category Partnership

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STEVE BOWLING

SR HR Business Partner

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SHANYN BRADY

Lead Designer

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ALEX LOHMANN

Creative Director

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EMILY VENTER

Marketing Operations
Manager

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ROB WARNICK

Lead Designer

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MARY CARROLL

Senior Strategist

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LISA DUNDON

Staff Accountant

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MADDIE FENNELL

Manager, Client + Category Partnership

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MARK WESTBROOK

Senior Creative Director

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JENNIFER CASHMAN

Senior Executive Assistant

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JOHN McKENZIE

IT Director

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ADAM SIEVERING

Copy Director

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CAROLINE MOLONY

Lead Designer

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MORGAN CAVANAUGH

Design Director

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BEN MEYERS

Senior Designer

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GRANT COLLINSWORTH

Senior Creative Director

Susanne Schneider Wright

SUSANNE WRIGHT

Director, Client + Category Partnership

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KYLE CLOS

Resource Manager

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PAUL STUTZMAN

Design Adaption Director

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MATT MOSES

Senior Creative Director

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JOHNA DIGONNO

Manager, Client + Category Partnership

Let’s shape your future.

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